The FA is ripping off fans for "more and more profit", MP claims

Shadow Sports minister Clive Efford accused the FA of “marginalising” ordinary supporters with the way it arranges matches for TV

Match: Many travelling Charlton fans could miss kick off in Sheffield this Sunday (file picture)

Share

Get daily updates directly to your inbox

Thank you for subscribing!

Could not subscribe, try again laterInvalid Email

Football fans are being ripped off for “more and more profit” by an FA in hock to TV money, an MP has claimed.

Shadow Sports minister Clive Efford accused the FA of “marginalising” ordinary supporters with the way it arranges matches for TV.

It comes after this Sunday’s crunch FA cup tie between Sheffield United and Charlton Athletic was re-scheduled for 12pm - even though no trains arrive from London until after kick-off.

The first train to Sheffield leaves London Euston at 8.20am - arriving in Sheffield almost four hours later at 12.07pm.

Thousands of fans face being left stranded for the game - one of the biggest in the club’s history.

The game will be broadcast live on BT Sport with both United and Charlton picking up £247,500 from The FA in live broadcast fees.

The winning team will get to pocket a further £360,000 from The FA Cup prize fund.

But Mr Efford said: “In the rush to attract more and more profit from commercial deals the fans are becoming more and more marginalised.

“This is short termism of the worst kind. The TV product is nothing without stadiums full of fans.”

The decision to bring forward the time of the game comes despite widespread fury over the FA’s decision to move last year’s cup final to 5.15pm.

Manchester City and Wigan were left facing a mad rush to make the last train from London Euston to Manchester at 9pm and 8.31pm for Wigan.

If the game had gone into extra time and penalties a return by train would have been impossible.

The FA said South Yorkshire Police would not allow the game to go ahead at Bramall Lane on Saturday because they also have to look after other Championship games nearby - between Barnsley and Nottingham Forest and Doncaster Rovers and Huddersfield Town.

“UEFA regulations” also ban matches being broadcast live between 2.45pm and 5.15pm on Saturdays.

This left the FA with no choice but to shift the game to Sunday, the FA claimed.

A spokesman for The FA said: “We have been in regular discussion with Charlton Athletic who have assured us that they are providing an effective and affordable travel option for their fans.”

Charlton have arranged a special coach service for fans wanting to go to the game at £22 a head.